Celebrity Update

NAMES AND FACES

July 3, 1999

COMEDY VETERAN WANTED SKULL TO HAVE HEAD ROLE IN `HAMLET'

The next actor to play Hamlet at Chicago's Goodman Theatre may want to change Shakespeare's line to ``Alas, poor Del. I knew him, Horatio.'' Del Close, a veteran of the Second City comedy troupe who died in March, willed his skull to the theater so that it could be used to play the court jester whose skull is unearthed and leads Hamlet to lament: ``Alas, poor Yorick.'' Close's skull, missing some front teeth and resting on a velvet cushion in a plastic box, was presented to the theater Thursday. ``This is exactly what he wanted,'' said Charna Halpern, the executor of his will. ``This is Del getting the last laugh.''

Calista Flockhart is taking a bite out of those who suggest she may have an eating disorder. The size 0 star of Ally McBeal finally made an appearance on David Letterman's show Thursday, months after canceling a slew of scheduled appearances. When Letterman asked her about the attention the media have paid to her thinness, Flockhart said she was ``bored with the whole thing.'' She then turned to face the camera and said: ``I would like to take this opportunity to tell the press to kiss my skinny white [rear end).''

$650,000 WEDDING SHOULD HAVE LOTS OF SPICE AND KICK IN DUBLIN

Britain's most glamorous couple - Manchester United soccer player David Beckham and pop star Victoria Adams, ``Posh Spice'' from the Spice Girls - are expected to marry Sunday at a castle on the outskirts of the Irish capital, Dublin. The wedding is expected to cost upward of $650,000, and the 300-strong guest list is packed with big names, such as Elton John and George Michael.

NEW YEAR'S EVE WILL BE `DIVINE' FOR SOME AT NEW VEGAS HOTEL

They say just about any entertainer can find work on New Year's Eve. But Bette Midler has a very special gig for the cusp of Y2K. She'll ring in 2000 with a few thousand people at the new Mandalay Bay hotel-casino in Las Vegas. The Divine Miss M will perform two shows on New Year's Eve and Jan. 1. Tickets will cost up to $500.

PRINCE FALLS IN LOVE WITH TITLE AFTER SEEING `SHAKESPEARE' FILM

Britain's Prince Edward reportedly got the idea for his new noble title - the Earl of Wessex - after seeing Shakespeare in Love. In the film, Colin Firth plays a villain of that same royal name. The title had been dormant since the death of King Harold in 1066, and ``the queen was initially somewhat taken aback,'' a Buckingham Palace source told London's Sunday Times. ``But Edward made an effective case for taking the title.''

SHANDLING, EX-MANAGER AGREE TO SETTLE BEFORE TRIAL BEGINS

Garry Shandling's $100 million suit against his former manager ended with a settlement Friday as the case was set to begin trial. Under the agreement, details of the settlement were to remain confidential, Shandling's attorney said. The lawsuit alleged that Brad Grey's role as Shandling's manager and executive producer of the now-ended The Larry Sanders Show represented a conflict of interest.